Delfina Crimp was a witch who was one of the most popular dressmakers in London in the 15th century. She invented the Severing Charm in order to make the task of cutting cloth and thread easier.

Biography

Crimp was one of London's most popular clothiers in the 15th century. The beauty of her creations struck jealousy into the hearts of rival tailors and her dresses made even unattractive women appear lovely. Every day, her popularity grew, and with it so did her wealth.[1]

In order to simplify the task of cutting cloth and thread, Madam Crimp invented the Severing Charm, a neat, accurate spell that replaced older spells that were liable to burn or shred whatever the caster was attempting to cut. However, because wizards and witches were persecuted in the 15th century, Crimp preferred to pretend she was a Muggle. Nonetheless, due to her phenomenal success, many of her rivals began to suspect that she was privy to a secret which they were not.[1]

A rival Muggle tailor, Snickerton, donned a disguise and applied for a job in Madam Crimp's shop. However, after several weeks, the only evidence of magic he had uncovered was the lack of scissors in her workroom. Hoping to catch her using magic, he decided to hide out in her workroom at night, wrapping himself in a bolt of velvet. He saw Crimp cutting out an intricate pattern with her wand, and the next day, he brought a group of men to arrest her.[1]

Taken by surprise at her shop, Madam Crimp could offer no explanation as to why she had no scissors. Snickerton ordered her bound, fearing she might curse them, and began searching her shop for a wand. However, he turned up nothing suspicious after several hours of looking, and his friends began to doubt him.[1]

Finally, Crimp asked to be untied so that she might scratch her chin, on which she had a large wart. Seeing no risk in this request, the men agreed, but when she touched the wart, it popped out of her face to reveal her hidden wand. Quickly grabbing a bag of gold, she Disapparated from the scene, never to be seen in London again.[1]

However, from that day on, every piece of clothing Snickerton tried to make mysteriously ended up sliced to ribbons. According to legend, he died insane, believing a giant pair of invisible scissors was following him wherever he went.[1]